Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1887-08-20
THE SAD LIFE OF A RECLUSE
A Story for Old and Young.
Ply JAMES FRANKLIN Fits.


my later communing with the Arabian
Nights and Robinson Crusoe, it was
something that never grew old; and it
would be useless for me to try to num-
Der the times that I heard it. at second
hand and from the original narrator.
The latter was one of our neighbors,
Wesley Bender by name, grave family
man when knew him, with children of
his own-but one of those hearty,
happy, young-old men, who always
have smile and CHEEKY word for the
Little men, and who love on occasion
to sit down with them, and fill their
ears with what is marvellous and enter
tanning. This story was his own, and
as he always assured us of its truth, it
easily became our favorite. From his
own age at the time he used to tell it,
in connection with the chronology of
the story, I have supposed that he
spoke of a time which must have been
about the year 1920. Years have passed
since Mr. Bender removed to Oregon,
and whether he is still living is I'M
known to me. The boys who used to
stand at his knee in open-mouthed won
der at his tales are dispersed over the
SlopC, UuU l. lucy uafO LoO Aol-
gotten Mr.. Bender and his stories, and
perhaps in far-away corners of the
earth some of them will now gladly
renew their acquaintance with Old
Crotty.
"There he goes!"
"Hurrah for old Scarecrow"
Lets after him, boysw
We quilted our ball-play on the
green and followed the poor old man,
shouting and calling him names; and
am ashamed to say that 1 was as rude
and thoughtless as the rest. He paid
no heed to us, but passed slowly on,
leaning on his staff, his snow-white hair
and beard waving in the wind, and his
eyes bent on the ground. One of us,
holder than the others, ran up behind
him and pulled the skirt of his long
coat He turned suddenly; we all ran,
with shout; and fell over stone
The old man seized me by the arm and
held me fast. My companions looked
on from safe distance with horror in
their faces; they evidently expected to
see me killed on the spot. I know
expected something of the kind myself,
and [ blubbered after the fashion of
boys in such scrapes.
20 please, sir, don't! I'm so sorry !
I'll never do so again"
l fairly shivered with fear, and looked |
up to his face as though it were that of |
an ogre. To my utter establishment |
saw his eyes regarding ME with a very
kind expression, while something like
sad smile fitted over his wasted and |
wrinkled face.
"Don't be afraid, my lad" he said.
"I'll not hurt you. What is your name ?"
John Wesley Bender, sir"
"Do you know where liye?"
ayes, SIR"
"Will you come up and see me to-
morrow morning? I want to see you
very much when these boys are not by"
promised; indeed / was SO confused
that l would have promised anything.
"Good-by, then, John" he said. II
shall expect you"
Hepatted my head gently and passed
on. When he had gone some distance
the boys came crowding about me,
anxious to know what the old man had
said. / did not feel like talking with
them, or like playing any more
that afternoon; and, making some ex-
cuse, I went home. At supper, my
mother noticed that I was looking
serious, and asked me if I was sick.
My little sister Alice tried in vain to get
me to read to her after the table was
cleared; could think of nothing but
the incident of the afternoon. Even
ing came. Alice had been put to bed,
and sat with my mother by the even
ing lamp. think see her now as she
used to sit with her swift needle, her
grave, handsome face lighted with in
telligence as she talked to me. Father
had died five years before, leaving a
slender income for the support of us
three, and she helped it out by sewing.
I was eleven years old at this time, and
was growing able to help her q great
deal As we sat there on this evening
she suddenly put down her sewing and
said:
"John, something is the matter with
you. What is it?"
could keep it to myself no longer,
and told her all that had happened.
She looked serious when she heard of
our rudeness to the old man, and very
much interested by the account of
what followed. She asked many aues-
tions, and grew thoughtful.
"What shall do, mother?s asked.
after moments silence.
"Old Crotty has lived here fifteen
years. to my knowledge she said.
slowly; "and during all that time he
has never harmed any one. It was
very wrong and very thoughtless for
the boys to annoy him; but if he had
wished to punish you, he would have
done it when he had his hands on you.
I believe you had better go and see
him, John. You ought to wish to do
him kindness after what has happened;
and you may find way"
This excellent motherly counsel set
my mind at rest; and after breakfast
Aha next morning T SET forth ON nv